Slaughter and DeGette Applaud Step in Right Direction, Call for More Action

Washington, DC – Bi-partisan Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules, and Diana DeGette (D-CO), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today applauded family planning investments in President Obama’s budget proposal.

The President’s budget calls for an additional $10 million over fiscal year 2009 levels for Title X Family Planning programs, critical initiatives to improve women’s health care and reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and abortions. The budget also supports teen pregnancy prevention programs with proven track records and provides funding through Medicaid to improve access to family planning services for low income women and families. These increases in family planning funding come as President Obama made $17 billion worth of cuts to the budget.

 “These increased investments in key family planning programs are a step in the right direction and I applaud President Obama,” said Rep. Slaughter. “Our commitment to increasing budget savings and reducing unintended pregnancies go hand in hand.  It is estimated that for every dollar spent on family planning services, almost four dollars are saved in public health spending.”

“This budget shows that President Obama is looking out for the American taxpayer by redirecting funds from ineffective programs to those that actually work,” said Rep. DeGette. “Family planning services prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and save money.  We must keep working together to implement public health policies that are based on sound science.”

Slaughter and DeGette are the sponsors of the Prevention First Act, comprehensive legislation to protect women’s reproductive health, reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions and decrease the spread of STDs.  The Prevention First Act calls for $700 million for Title X programs.

“We still have much to do,” Slaughter continued.  “If we want to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in this country, the methodology is clear – empower women to prevent unintended pregnancies through education and access to contraception.  A continued commitment to family planning services will do just that.”

BACKGROUND

For the first time in decades, the nation’s teen birth rate is on the rise.  Additionally, research shows, and a majority of the public believes, that improving access to family planning services is the most effective way to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and to reduce abortions.

The Prevention First Act would do the following:

Increase Funding for the National Family Planning Program (Title X).

Expand Medicaid Family Planning Services.

End Insurance Discrimination Against Women.

Improve Awareness about Emergency Contraception (EC).

Provide Compassionate Assistance for Rape Victims.

Reduce Teen Pregnancy.

Ensure that All Federal Programs Provide Age Appropriate Medically Accurate Sex   Education.